The Dan Wesson Specialist is a full-size .45 ACP single-action pistol built on a forged stainless steel 1911 frame. Fixed tritium night sights, G10 grips, and ambidextrous thumb safety are standard on this configuration. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Dan Wesson 
• Model Name: Specialist 
• Caliber: .45 ACP 
• Action Type: Single Action Only (SAO) 
• Capacity: 8+1 rounds 
• Barrel Length: 5 inches 
• Weight: 42.3 oz (2.64 lbs) 
• Height: 5.5 inches 
• Width: 1.45 inches 
• Frame Material: Forged Stainless Steel 
• Slide Finish: Stainless Steel with Bead Blast Treatment 
• Grip Type: Black/Brown G10 
• Sights: Fixed Tritium Night Front / Tactical Night Rear 
• Safety Features: Ambidextrous Thumb Safety and Grip Safety 
   

Detailed Features 

The forged stainless steel frame and bead blast slide finish give the Specialist durable, corrosion-resistant construction. Tritium night sights on both front and rear provide usable low-light aiming without batteries or electronics. 
 
The G10 grips have good traction and hold up to extended use better than wood alternatives. The ambidextrous thumb safety works for both hand orientations. Single-action operation delivers a clean, consistent trigger pull with the reset that 1911 shooters expect.

The Dan Wesson Specialist in .45 ACP gets strong marks for build quality and fit-and-finish. The forged stainless construction and the Dan Wesson manufacturing standards are cited repeatedly as reasons buyers chose this platform over competing premium 1911s.

Precision is a consistent positive. Owners report tight tolerances and groups that reflect good barrel-to-slide fit. The tritium sights are noted as practical and genuinely useful, not just spec-sheet features.

The G10 grips are well-regarded for traction during extended shooting sessions. The ambidextrous safety is appreciated by left-handed users as a genuine functional feature rather than an afterthought.

Weight (42.3 oz) comes up in carry discussions. It's a full-size Government-frame pistol, and that weight is what you get with forged steel construction. Buyers who chose this platform understood the tradeoff. Price discussions reflect that this is a premium 1911; most owners consider the quality justified, while some note that a stock Colt or Springfield gets you the same platform at lower cost.